Richmond, VA November 13, 2006 - During November, adoption is being celebrated in our country as a "positive way to build families." OriginsUSA ( OUSA), a national organization of mothers who have had children taken for adoption, sees this as a very painful, life-altering event and not something to be celebrated.

Their stories are just beginning to emerge with the publication of Ann Fessler's best-seller, "The Girls Who Went Away" and the new and more vigorous activism of these women. Mothers surrendered their babies when they were vulnerable, typically under the influence and control of parents and authority figures, and without complete, realistic information, resources or legal representation. Their pain is echoed by many adult adoptees who have also felt the absence of their original family members.

On the 30th of November, members of OUSA, other supporters of natural families, various activism and support groups and their friends and families will be observing "National Strange and Mournful Day." Using a phrase taken from the "Mother and Child Reunion" by Paul Simon, the name of the occasion is intended to stress both the unnatural (strange) nature of adoption separation and the accompanying "mournful" grief. Observers will be wearing ribbon badges in colors of black, white and purple. Some mothers also plan to include the birthstone of their surrendered child on their badge.

"We are hoping that people will ask us what the ribbons mean," says Robin Westbrook, an OUSA member. "This is a good way, we hope, to educate the general public on what happened with us and what, unfortunately, continues to happen. America needs to know that adoption has caused a lot of pain for a lot of people and continues to do so."

OriginsUSA is inviting anyone with an interest in joining the "National Strange and Mournful Day" observation on November 30th to contact a member and ask about how to obtain or make the ribbon badges.

For more information about the truth of adoption, past and present, join us at OriginsUSA.
Origins USA advocates for the preservation of natural families and, as a last resort, alternative systems of child care that respect the needs and dignity of both mother and child above permanent adoption separation. We provide support for people separated by adoption, fight coercive adoption practices, and educate the public and policy makers about the effects of adoption separation. A national organization, we are internationally affiliated with Origins Inc. ( NSW Australia), Origins Canada, and other Origins branches in those countries. OriginsUSA has also aligned with Tracker's International in the U.K. and with Adoption Crossroads in the U.S.

Origins USA advocates for the preservation of natural families and, as a last resort, alternative systems of child care that respect the needs and dignity of both mother and child above permanent adoption separation. We provide support for people (more...)